Blackmagic Forum

Hi, might seem like a silly question but I can't find anywhere any info about aspect ratio guidlines for the BMCC.
How do you guys do when you want to shoot in 2:35.1 aspect ratio???

Do you just shoot as usual and then in post put 2:35.1 .. ?? That does not seem right. I mean you have to frame for the aspect ratio while shooting? OR am I getting something wrong?

Thanks in advance !!
Rob

? the camera outputs 16:9...if you want to crop to 2.35:1, you would do that in post no matter what.

Are you asking for guides displayed on the viewfinder?

Most good quality viewfinders/monitors provide display guides for popular aspect ratios.

Personally, for the BMCC, I use an antiglare screen (an ipad screen cut to find the BMCC) and I just drew some guides with a sharpie.

I've seen some other people use tape.

Yes exactly that's what I meant. I mean 16:9 ok but if you want 2:35.1 aspect ratio you need to frame for it while shooting, it's so much easier if you just had some aspect ratio guide lines in camera, where you can choose, 1:85.1 or 1:78:1 or 2:40.1 and so on.... I think that you can do this in camera on the Sony cameras. I know that RED has this on their cameras. Maybe BM will put this in a future update?

Am I the only one that wants to be able to set guide lines in camera???

no, you're not the only one. I suggest you add it to the feature request thread!

In the meantime, with the existing camera, I like my solution

There's a lot of really small but incredibly useful implementations that Blackmagic could be steadily putting out in firmware here, but I'm getting worried that they're too caught up delivering on the 'taglines' of their products (resolution, dynamic range, raw) and on pumping out their future products.

I wonder how much work it would really be to implement some aspect ratio guideline overlays and put an option for them in the menu, would it take an employee a day of work, or a week, or is it for some reason not possible software side? I don't really understand! Are they stretched too thin trying to get these new cameras out? As a cinema camera, it's a no-brainer that people want to see ratios like 2.35:1, and I'd prefer not to put tape on my screen (obscuring menus and info) or sharpie on a screen protector because not every project is 2.35 and it's just a messy process. First world problems huh. I guess it's a thing to discuss because the question is how hard can this feature really be to implement in firmware? Maybe someone can enlighten me.

I know that the BMCC footage speaks for itself and the quirks can be worked around, but I also know a lot of people that have been put off investing in the camera because it seems 'unfinished'. I think they should just be buying it and enjoying the amazing quality footage for low cost, but not everyone feels comfortable making these compromises on other features, and I think Blackmagic may be shooting themselves in the foot not putting in a marginal amount of more work software-side to make it more 'feature rich' for those sitting on the fence.

I'm desperate for this feature too. I love my camera but there are so many things I miss about my AF100. I don't want to start putting tape on my monitor, its touch screen so that may affect it's operation surely?

BMD, please please add this feature - its one of the smaller ones the list but would make a big difference! Thanks!

Luke Armstrong wrote:... I don't want to start putting tape on my monitor, its touch screen so that may affect it's operation surely? ...

In the meantime, as an alternative to tape, you might fashion frame guides by cutting some strips of 3M's translucent, removable, matte-finish anti-glare film specifically designed for capacitive touch screens:
http://herefortheweather.wordpress.com/ ... on-on-you/

This film is relatively inexpensive, and the iPad-size sheet is large enough so it can be cut into 4 pieces the size of the BMCC LCD. You could then draw frame lines on the film.

Or, cut a rectangular "hole" in the middle of the film, the size of your frame line area. Since the film has a matte finish, the area outside the hole will be very slightly diffused, but you'll still be able to see unwanted objects (boom mic, light stand, etc.) just before they intrude into your shot.

The film is translucent, so you'll still have complete access to the BMCC's touchscreen interface.

-

The anti-glare film will wreck your screen resolution HARD.

If you go that route, youll want focus assist on every time, and if you aint getting a decent outline for the shot, youre gonna have to wing it and pray for the best because this film will turn everything soft on the LCD

Nick Vega wrote:The anti-glare film will wreck your screen resolution HARD. If you go that route, youll want focus assist on every time, and if you aint getting a decent outline for the shot, youre gonna have to wing it and pray for the best because this film will turn everything soft on the LCD

Re-read my post above. In this instance I'm suggesting only apply the anti-glare film outside the aspect ratio area you want to work with. The area inside the cut-out aspect ratio "window" will be crystal-clear and reflective because no film is applied to that area.

Cheers.

Peter J. DeCrescenzo wrote:

Nick Vega wrote:The anti-glare film will wreck your screen resolution HARD. If you go that route, youll want focus assist on every time, and if you aint getting a decent outline for the shot, youre gonna have to wing it and pray for the best because this film will turn everything soft on the LCD

Re-read my post above. In this instance I'm suggesting only apply the anti-glare film outside the aspect ratio area you want to work with. The area inside the cut-out aspect ratio "window" will be crystal-clear and reflective because no film is applied to that area.

Cheers.

You also suggest it yourself for use to cut out some of the glare/reflection of the screen (which it does, at a cost), so its a bit of a fair warning for those looking at that path. Using them as frame lines is fine, but using it as a reflection controller, or doing it like how Sean suggest, its something to keep in mind if you dont own an EVF/monitor and plan to shoot in a shallow DoF.

Please, if you're going to request that BMD add widescreen overlays to the camera, don't call it "2.35:1."

2.35 has not been used in theatrical projection since the 1970's. It's not used in modern home video, either. 2.39:1 or 2.40:1 is the current widescreen aspect ratio.

So if you request widescreen guides from BMD, please ask for a modern ratio like 2.40:1.

BTW, plenty of cinematographers and projectionists call widescreen "235," even while they're using 2.40:1

I used a piece of gaffer tape to frame up the shot to 2.35:1

was annoying to check menu settings but with the help of the EVF it was manageable

Come on blackmagic, I hope they read this and please put some aspect ratio guidelines "markers" in the next update